Healthcare (Commonwealth Union) – A recent study published in People and Animals: The International Journal of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations explores how therapy dogs can help create a supportive, judgment-free space for survivors of domestic violence across educational, therapeutic, and legal settings. Released posthumously in honor of John R. Chapin, professor emeritus of communications at Penn State Beaver, the research gives a demonstration to the way trained support dogs can ease anxiety, build trust, and contribute to more positive outcomes for survivors.
Grace A. Coleman, Chapin’s wife and the study’s co-author indicated that as society has evolved from hunter-gatherer communities to agricultural, industrial, and now post-industrial systems, the role of animals has continually shifted. She also pointed out that yet the deep emotional bond between people and their pets remains constant — and holds powerful potential for helping survivors of domestic violence heal. Coleman is the president and CEO of Crisis Center North (CCN) as well, which is a nonprofit based in Allegheny County that provides counseling and support to those affected by domestic violence.
The study analyzed three key areas by surveying individuals receiving support through CCN. First, it looked at how mental health, coping strategies, and pet ownership intersect for youth involved in educational outreach. Next, it examined the effect of therapy dogs in a counseling setting at a domestic violence center. Finally, it evaluated the role of therapy dogs in courtrooms when domestic violence victims are involved in legal proceedings.
Coleman indicated that CCN staff have noticed that many clients need multiple visits before they feel comfortable seeking help. She further pointed out that therapy dogs may play a key role in making that first contact less intimidating by offering a sense of comfort and safety. Their study demonstrates that working animals can help build and maintain meaningful connections between clients and domestic violence centers. These findings contribute to the growing research showing the psychological benefits of interacting with animals.
The study on pet ownership found that while having a pet didn’t significantly impact overall mental health, children and adolescents with pets showed stronger coping skills compared to those without.
The co-author Michael Brayack, a Penn State graduate in corporate communications and current grants and publications manager at CCN indicated that it is crucial for young people, especially those vulnerable to bullying or school-related stress, to develop healthy coping mechanisms that can reduce the risk of substance abuse and self-harm.
Brayack pointed out that their findings suggest that pets may play a valuable role in supporting these coping strategies, and more research is needed to explore this potential.
According to the second experiment, the presence of a therapy animal increased the effectiveness of treatment for both children and adolescents receiving counseling as well as their parents. Additionally, many reported feeling calmer and closer to their therapists as a result of the animal’s presence.
Participants in the third section, which examined the application of therapy dogs in courtrooms, said that the dogs helped them feel more comfortable when they appeared in court. Some even mentioned that if a therapy dog was available, they would be more inclined to show up for follow-up sessions.
“Based on this research, we hope to inspire more programming like CCN’s PAWS for Empowerment Program,” added Brayack, who was advised by Chapin as a student at Penn State. “While any dog owner can tell you how they intuitively ‘know’ the positive impact their pets make on their well-being, research into the efficacy of animals for survivors of domestic violence is still largely undocumented. With this paper, we are pleased to be a part of this process, and I am glad to be able to honor the lasting work of Dr. Chapin by helping to finish his last article.”
